Curing the pear shaped dilemma?

Author Message
DiscussBodybuilding.com
Master Lifter
7 Stars

  • Total Posts : 5274
  • Reward points : 10
  • Joined: 6/20/2003
  • Status: online

 
tabithanaylor

  • Total Posts : 3
  • Reward points : 10
  • Joined: 3/8/2006
  • Status: offline
Curing the pear shaped dilemma? - Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:16 AM ( #1 )
Hello all! 

I am brand new to this forum.  I must say that I am extremely impressed with the wealth of information on this site.  I am hoping that I might gain some insight as to what is going on with my body these days.

I am a classic pear shape.  It's gotten progressively worse as the years have gone by, and its driving me up the wall.  I am 25 years old, 5'2", 115 pounds (god I hate even thinking about that weight right now).

I try to stay away from carbs and fatty meat, etc (for the most part, I really try to watch what I eat).  I exercise 4-6 times a week, depending on my workload, for about an hour a day.  I do lots of work on the elliptical machines, and also do some kickboxing and spinning classes.  I have been on this workout regime since last August.  However, my butt and thighs are now bigger than they were before.

It seems like everything I try to do does nothing to help the situation.  Since I started this workout regime, I have gained weight. Of course, I didnt think anything of it, since muscle weighs more than fat.  I figured that the weight would eventually go away, but, it hasnt.

So, despite the fact that I am watching what I am eating, and exercising, I have gained more weight, and my thighs/butt are bigger.  All things I have been trying to fix. 

Why is this happening?  And what can I do to change it?  I know that I am never going to have a rail thin figure, which is fine, since I like some curves.  However, I want my body to be more in proportion too.  Is this asking too much?
Carpe Diem!
Make today a great one!
Tabitha J Naylor
tabithanaylor

  • Total Posts : 3
  • Reward points : 10
  • Joined: 3/8/2006
  • Status: offline
RE: Curing the pear shaped dilemma? - Wednesday, March 08, 2006 11:45 AM ( #2 )
Oh, and I almost forgot.  I try to do 20 minutes of upper body work 3-4 times a week.  
Italianangel

  • Total Posts : 2857
  • Reward points : 10
  • Joined: 8/4/2005
  • Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • Status: offline
RE: Curing the pear shaped dilemma? - Saturday, March 11, 2006 5:53 PM ( #3 )
You may need to stick with reps of 20-40, very light weights for training and circuiting.
What is your diet?
tabithanaylor

  • Total Posts : 3
  • Reward points : 10
  • Joined: 3/8/2006
  • Status: offline
RE: Curing the pear shaped dilemma? - Sunday, March 12, 2006 2:40 PM ( #4 )
Angel,

I try to stick to low fat/low carbs... and high protein.  I eat red meat maybe 2 days a week (mainly because my fiance' is a fan of it).  I have a tendancy to not eat breakfast, which I know is a no-no.  I am going to try and make it a habit to eat breakfast, and also to eat smaller meals more often, as opposed to lunch, dinner, etc. 

I am hoping that maybe this will help. 

As far as lighter weights, should I be using lighter weights for my upper and lower body?  My upper body never seems to get tooo bulky... its always my lower half.
Italianangel

  • Total Posts : 2857
  • Reward points : 10
  • Joined: 8/4/2005
  • Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
  • Status: offline
RE: Curing the pear shaped dilemma? - Tuesday, March 14, 2006 6:07 PM ( #5 )
I would use heavier weight and maybe closer to the 10-15 rep range for upper body but for circuit days you do it all light.
Keep all lower body light or body weight with high reps and try to stick with isolated work like inner thigh and outer thighs which do not get thick, walking lunges usually do not mass out the thigh, lying leg curls, Sumo squats is more butt than legs, running is a toss up - makes some poeple skinner legs and others bulk but definatleh do not cycle.
Try rowing for cardio and also things like skip rope which is more calves, jumping jaxs as well and mix them in between your circuit weights so you interval the 2.
I would eat something like this:
breaky - eggs n oats or protein shake with frozen fruits
2-3 hours later
snack 1 - no fat plain yogurt with protein powder and some almonds
2-3 hours later
lunch - chicken or fish, 1/2 cup brown rice or yam and 2 cups mixed green fibrous veggies (broccoli, salads of all types, snap peas)
2-3 hours later
snack 2 - protein shake blend with frozen banana and water
2-3 hours later
dinner - same idea as lunch but maybe add some carrot or squash
1-3 hours pre bed
protein and water with some nuts

Linda

ORIGINAL: tabithanaylor

Angel,

I try to stick to low fat/low carbs... and high protein.  I eat red meat maybe 2 days a week (mainly because my fiance' is a fan of it).  I have a tendancy to not eat breakfast, which I know is a no-no.  I am going to try and make it a habit to eat breakfast, and also to eat smaller meals more often, as opposed to lunch, dinner, etc. 

I am hoping that maybe this will help. 

As far as lighter weights, should I be using lighter weights for my upper and lower body?  My upper body never seems to get tooo bulky... its always my lower half.
<message edited by Italianangel on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 6:09 PM>

Jump to:

Current active users
There are 0 members and 1 guests.
Icon Legend and Permission
  • New Messages
  • No New Messages
  • Hot Topic w/ New Messages
  • Hot Topic w/o New Messages
  • Locked w/ New Messages
  • Locked w/o New Messages
  • Read Message
  • Post New Thread
  • Reply to message
  • Post New Poll
  • Submit Vote
  • Post reward post
  • Delete my own posts
  • Delete my own threads
  • Rate post

DiscussBodybuilding.com is supported by:
Supplements101.com | NoBullBodybuilding.com | JustAskMarc.com
© 2003-2009 DiscussBodybuilding.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
© 2000-2009 ASPPlayground.NET Forum Version 3.4
DiscussBodybuilding.com